A member of the Georgia House has tested positive for the coronavirus, the first state representative confirmed with the illness after five state senators caught it.

State Rep. Matthew Gambill, a Republican from Cartersville, learned his test results Thursday, 10 days after he was tested, according to the office of House Speaker David Ralston.

Gambill has quarantined himself at home since March 13 after he was exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Gambill, who has experienced mild symptoms, didn't attend a legislative session March 16 to grant authority to Gov. Brian Kemp to respond to the coronavirus.

In addition to Gambill, state Rep. Angelika Kausche said Tuesday that a doctor told her to presume she contracted coronavirus after her husband received a positive diagnosis and she experienced similar symptoms. Kausche, a Democrat from Johns Creek, has not taken a coronavirus test.

The five state senators with coronavirus are Brandon Beach, a Republican from Alpharetta; Lester Jackson, a Democrat from Savannah; Kay Kirkpatrick, a Republican from Marietta; Bruce Thompson, a Republican from White; and Nikema Williams, a Democrat from Atlanta.

The Georgia General Assembly's legislative session is suspended to slow the spread of the disease.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Fallen trees are seen from President Joe Biden’s motorcade on Thursday, October 3, 2024, as the president makes his way to survey damage from Hurricane Helene in Ray City. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Featured

Laurence Walker, a volunteer with the Cajun Navy Relief, left, takes two volunteers out on his boat on Lake Oconee to search for Gary Jones, Tuesday, February, 18, 2024, in Eatonton, Ga. The Putnam County sheriff is investigating and searching after Spelman College instructor Joycelyn Nicole Wilson and an Atlanta private school coach Gary Jones went missing on Lake Oconee over a week ago, Saturday Feb. 8th. The body of Wilson was found Sunday, Feb. 9th and Jones has not been found. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com